In the silly Christmas movie Spirited, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, we get a modern riff on the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. It’s a ridiculous and funny adaptation set to music and dancing. It’s PG-13, so I am by no means suggesting you sit down with the whole family to watch it, but there are some really clever and lovely moments.
Thirteen years ago, Sarah was nine months pregnant in a high-risk pregnancy with our son, Foster. We didn’t know the gender and hadn’t picked a name yet, so we just referred to the baby as… well, “Baby.”
Our friends were convinced we should name him “Steven Danger Beard.” (We did not.)
We had been trying to have a child for over five years, and only later discovered that Sarah had some health issues that made pregnancy especially difficult. Doctors told us the baby would undoubtedly come early. So, we were on high alert—weekly appointments, bags packed, life in a holding pattern, anxiously waiting.
This time of year we are staying up late regularly. Whether it is watching Christmas movies or football games…
Did you know winter doesn’t begin on November 1st. Or on Black Friday. Or on December 1st. The first day of winter begins on a day called the winter solstice or midwinter. This date is either December 21st or 22nd. That day, right before Christmas is the day winter technically begins.